By Sean Crawford, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. –
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich spent most of his State of the State speech yesterday criticizing the state agency that oversees schools the State Board of Education. "It's a burden to the taxpayers, it's a drain on local schools," Blagojevich said.
"It's an albatross to our principals and our teachers; it's not helping our children. The Illinois State Board of Education has failed in its mission."
The governor wants a new Department of Education created that would answer directly to him.
His call left some lawmakers pleased and others skeptical of his motives. It's clear the Governor will have to work to sell the idea to the General Assembly this Spring.
Illinois Public Radio's Sean Crawford prepared this report.